Hank winding machine



Oct. 13, 1953 Filed Jan. 11, 1950 R. G. DEXTER HANK WINDING MACHINErlil.

10 Sheets-Sheet l i i pflwwwm ATTORNEYS Oct. 13, 1953 R G DEXTER2,654,980

HANK WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYSOct. 13, 1953 R. G..DEXTER- HANK WINDING MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledJan. 11, 1950 v lg ATTORNEYS R. G. DEXTER" HANK WINDING MACHINE FiledJan. 11, 1950 10 Shee'ts-Sheet 6 1M ATTORNEYS mwN an- E i 6 G q i i $1 g4 15 l www 3 Na a Oct. 13, 1953 R. e. DEXTER HANK WINDING MACHINE 10Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 11, 1950 INVENTOR 1 Robe/=3 Gifiexzfer 1MA'ITORNEYS Oct. 13, 1953 R. G. DEXTER 2,654,980

HANK WINDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTORKobemf G. Dexifefi ATTORNEYS 1953 R. G. DEXTER HANK WINDING MACHINE 1OSheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. 11, 1950 mm @Mmm .E @J m Mm mm Mm o 0 r mm M mB U J a Rm mm; w w 4 Oct. 13, 1953 R. e. DEXTER HANK WINDING MACHINEFiled Jan, 11, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 1 Emmnnn INVENTOR Robem G.Dexiier BY p422 y 6%:06

I ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 13, 1953 HANK WINDING MACHINE Robert G.Dexter, Lexington, Mass., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Continental Elastic Corporation, New Bedford,Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application January 11, 1950, Serial No.138,031

47 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to automatic machines for winding hanks oftape, generally, and has a particular application to the winding ofhanks of elastic tape, and in preferred embodiments also seals a bandabout the hank to produce a package of such tape.

Unless a predetermined length of tape can be wound and formed into anelongated, flattened hank, banded and the band sealed, at a relativelyhigh rate of speed and with a minimum of handling, the cost of packagingtape is often greater than the cost of the tape itself, and unless thefinished package is neat and uniform it is likely to be unsalable exceptas a second.

Because of the stretch of elastic tape due to tension applied theretoduring the winding operation or during its feed to the Winder, if a bandshould be placed around the hank of tape and sealed while the hank isunder stretching tension, the ends of the bank are likely to spreadapart unevenly when such tension is released, thereby distorting thepackage and possibly even tearing its band and rendering the resultantpackage unsalable except as a second. In addition, where such stretchingoccurs, accurate measurement of the length of tape is difficult.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide anautomatic winding machine for forming hanks from predetermined lengthsof tape, placing bands around such hanks and sealing such bands, toproduce uniformly perfect packages of tape, which machine is compact andrugged in construction, and functions with a minimum number of operatingparts, none of which is delicate or likely to become deranged, and iscapable of continuous operation with high output for long periodswithout attention and the working parts of which are readily accessiblefor maintenance and repair and the cost of upkeep of which is low.

A more specific object is to obtain the foregoing object with elastictape and to produce banded hanks of such elastic tape that are neatlywound and that do not present any distortion due to elastic returnfollowing release of tension in winding.

According to the invention, a plurality of operating stations areprovided to which stepping means advance the stock successively toperform the following operations: to wind a predetermined length of tapeinto a plurality of superposed generally circular loops or convolutions,to elongate such convolutions and thereby flatten the same to form ahank, to place a band around such hank, to fold one of the ends of theband over the other and to seal such folded-over ends.

According to one aspect of the invention the winding of the tape isperformed by a winding head into which tape is fed from a source ofsuppropulsion means to wind such convolutions and also having associatedmeans to sever the desired length of such tape after the convolutionshave been wound.

According to another feature of the propulsion of the tape to positionit in convolutions with respect to the head is performed pneumaticallyby an air nozzle to feed and lay the tape in place, preferably in acavity within the winding head.

Associated with the winding head is a pair of relatively movabletransfer means onto which the convolutions may be moved so that thetransfer means are encompassed by such convolutions. Means are provided,associated with said transfer means, to draw them apart, whereby theconvolutions thereon will be elongated and flattened to form a hank.

In a specific embodiment of the machine herein chosen to illustrate myinvention, the winding station includes a winding head having asubstantially circular, preferably annular cavity therein closed by acover plate and into which the continuous length of tape may be fed. Theair nozzle associated with the cavity is directed to blow air into thecavity generally in tape feeding direction, thereby to wind the tapeinto convolutions. Desirably the air is blown against one of the walls,preferably the inner wall of the cavity which result is accomplished bydirecting the nozzle substantially tangentially toward such inner wall.

Such winding operation, by pneumatic propul sion of the tape, avoids theapplication of substantial tension to the tape with the result thatdeformation due to the resilient return of stretched elastic tape isavoided.

Means are provided, operative after such convolutions have been wound,for moving the cover plate of the winding head outwardly away from thecavity that it closes, and means are also provided in said cavity formoving such convolutions therefrom over and to encompass transfer meanswhich are a pair of spaced fingers that extend through a slotdiametrically across said cover plate.

Associated with the banding station and cooperating therewith, is aconveyer system that may include a pair of belts having spaced parallelruns. Means are provided in said banding station to move the hank offits transfer fingers against a band and to force the hank and itsassociated band between the parallel runs of the conveyer in such mannerthat the ends of the band extend forwardly of such parallel runs.

Through a transmission from a main drive m0- tor the conveyer isadvanced in step by step movement to the sealing station. Means areprovided to fold one of the forwardly extending ends of the band overthe other during the course of such ply, said winding head havingassociated tape movement and means are provided at the sealing stationto join together said folded over ends when the conveyer is at rest.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of variouspossible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic front elevational View of themachine,

Figs. 2 and 3 are front elevational viewsof the machine on a largerscale Showing the left and right hand end of the machine respectively,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on a larger scale taken along line44 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a front view of the winding head taken I along line 55 of Fig.4,

Fig. 5a is a sectional detail view on a larger scale taken along line5a5a of Fig. 5,

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the cover removed from thewinding head,

Fig. '7 is a sectional detail view taken along line 7-1 of Fig. 5,

Fig.8 is a fragmentar detail view on a larger scale showing themicro-switches and actuating mechanism therefor,

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view taken along line 99 of Fig. 8,

Figs. 10 and 12 are side elevational views of the conveyer mechanism ona larger scale showing the left and right end of the conveyer mechanismrespectively,

Figs. 11 and 13 are top plan views of the con- 've'yer mechanism similarto Figs. 10 and 12,

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view taken along line [4-44 of Fig.10,

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken along line |5l5 of Fig. 10,

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken along line l6'-I 6 ofFig.2,

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detail view on a larger scale similar to Fig.16 showing the hank in the conveyer,

Fig. 18 is a front elevational view taken along line l8l8 of Fig. 17,

Fig. 19 is a transverse sectional view taken along line |9l 9 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary detail view on a larger scale, similar to Fig.19,

Fig. 21.is a fragmentary detail view on a larger scale of the conveyerbelt drive,

Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional view taken.

. sprocket wheels or other mechanisms may be employed for operating theconstituent elements of the machine in timed relation, and there aremany possible ways of driving them from a motor or other source ofpower, a particularly desirable arrangement is shown in the drawings.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, the machine comprises aconventional frame 2] supporting a bed '22 having near the back edge 23thereof an upstanding rear wall 24 on which are mounted substantiallyall of the major operating parts of the machine.

Extending longitudinally of the bed 22 in front suitable means areprovided to rotate cam shaft 25. Such means may comprise a motor Mdesirably mounted upon bed 22 and connected by a shaft 21 to a reductiongear box 28 which, as it is itself conventional and forms per se no partof this invention, will not be further described. Through the reductiongearing in gear box 28 is driven a bevel gear 29 which meshes with acorresponding bevel gear 3| aflixed on one end of cam shaft to rotatethe latter.

A barrel cam 32 (shown in Figs. 1 and 3) is desirably affixed on camshaft 25, near the other end thereof preferably between two bearingbrackets 26 to minimize vibration. Cam 32, through suitable linkagereciprocates a horizontal drive rod 33 slidably mounted in outstandingbearing brackets 34 affixed to the rear wall 24 near the upper edge 35thereof.

The linkage to reciprocate drive rod 33 is clearly shown in Fig. 3 anddesirably comprises a lever 36 pivotally mounted as at 31 upon the rearwall 24 and having suitable means, such as a roller 38, at its lower endriding in the groove 39 of the barrel cam 32. An adjustment screw 42carrying asleeve 43 threaded thereon, is positioned in a longitudinalslot M in the upper end of lever 36. Pivotally attached to andstraddling sleeve 43 is a yoke 44, the cross piece 45 of which isadjustably connected by screw 46 to the cross piece 41 of a yoke 48. Assleeve 43 cannot rotate by reason of the yoke 44 attached thereto,rotation of screw 42 will effect longitudinal displacement of saidsleeve in slot 4 I. The yoke is'pivotally connected to and straddles thelower end of one of the vertical legs 49 of a rack member 5| which liesparallel to the plane of the rear wall 24, the drive rod 33 extendingthrough longitudinally aligned bores in the lower ends of vertical legs49 and 52 unitary with the rack, said lower ends being affixed to saiddrive rod 33 by pins 53.

Means are provided to prevent longitudinal play of drive rod 33 due tothe relatively loose fit of roller 38 in groove 39 of cam 32. Suchmeans, as shown in Fig. 2, desirably comprises a coil spring 54positioned around drive rod 33 between a collar 55 aflixed thereon byset screw 5.6 and a bearing 5! rigidly mounted with respect to rear wall24 and throu h which drive rod 33 extends. Thus, drive rod 33 willnormally be urged toward the, left as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, therebyretaining roller 38 against the right hand wall of groove 39 and thuspreventing longitudinal play of the'drive rod. I

Along the length of the machine are a sequence of operating stations atwhich the tape is successively Wound, formed into a hank, handed and theband sealed, stepping means being provided to move the material fromstation to station.

The operating stations and conveyer means will now be described indetail.

Winding station As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the winding stationincludes a winding head 6|, preferably a circular hub 68 around whichthe tape is wound. The hub 68 is desirably aflixed by screws 63 to theperiphery of a circular opening 61 in a back plate 62 positionedparallel to and spaced from the rear wall 24 by a plurality of spacers63; A front plate 64 is affixed to back plate 62 by screws 65 and has acircular opening 66therethrough encompassing hub 68 and concentric witha circular opening 61 in back plate 62. Hub 68 is so positioned on backplate 62 as to be concentric with openings 66 and 61, and extendsthrough opening 66 with the top III of the hub lying flush with thesurface of front plate 64. Thus, a substantially circular, preferablyannular cavity TI is defined between the wall 58 of opening 66 and thewall 59 of the hub 68.

Means, desirably a cover plate 86, rests against front plate 64 to closeannular cavity II. Cover plate 86 which is desirably of transparentmaterial such as plastic, has a horizontal slot 81 therethroughextending from near one edge of cover plate 86 across the diameterthereof to and through the diametrically opposed edge thereof.

Although any suitable means could be used to mount the cover plate, inthe embodiment herein shown a pusher plate I is provided extendingparallel to back plate 62 to the rear thereof and rigid with a collar 16slidably mounted on a horizontal rod 11. The latter is afiixed at oneend to rear wall 24 and the free end of the rod ll extends into an axialcavity 18 in the rear of hub 68. Tensed coil spring 19 encompasses rodTI and is positioned between pusher plate and the floor 8| of the cavity18, thereby normally retaining the pusher plate I5 and collar I6 intheir rearmost position on rod 1'! adjacent rear wall 24, as limited byan adjustment screw 82, desirably threaded through rear wall 24 andabutting at its free end 80 against collar 16.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, pusher plate I5 has extension-s 84 thatprotrude beyond the edges of the back and front plates 62 and 64respectively. Each of said extensions 64 has a horizontal pin 85 affixedthereto at one end, which pins 85 normally extend beyond the front plate64 and are rigidly affixed to said cover plate.

Although other means could be used to wind the tape around the hub 68 inthe annular cavity II of the winding head, in the preferred embodimentherein shown, an air inlet member or nozzle 88 is associated withannular cavity II and is desirably rigidly affixed to the outer face ofthe cover plate 86 and extends obliquely thereto as shown. The nozzle 88desirably has a bore 89 therethrough with the outlet end 9I of the borepositioned over the annular cavity H and directed to blow therein towardthe inner wall 59 of the cavity substantially tangentially toward suchwall as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. Thus when a source of compressed air isapplied to the inlet end 92 of bore 89 the air will flow obliquely inthe direction of the arrow and into annular cavity H in acounterclockwise direction.

Cover plate 86 also desirably has a plurality of air escape bores 93therein of much smaller diameter than bore 89 of nozzle 88. Bores 93 exvtend obliquely through cover plate 86 into annular cavity II and areinclined in a direction opposite to the inclination of the bore 89. InFig. 5, two rings of bores 93 are illustratively shown, although more orless could be provided.

In order to provide a passageway into annular cavity II for the tape tobe wound, an obliquely extending slot 94 is provided in the lower end offront plate 64 at the left side thereof as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Theslot 94 desirably extends upwardly from its inlet 95 at the nose end 96of a laterally extending portion 91 of front plate 64 and has an outlet98 leading into annular cavity 1 I.

In order to cut the tape after it has been wound, a tape cutter whichdesirably comprises a pair of cutting blades WI and I02, is positionedin a vertical slot 99 desirably formed in the lower portion I00 of frontplate 64, which slot extends through the passageway or slot 94 slightlyto the rear of the outlet 98 thereof. One of said blades, illustrativelyblade IOI, has a transverse slot I03 therein aligned with oblique slot94 and through which the tape may pass. The other blade, 1. e., bladeI02, which has a cutting edge I04 at the upper end thereof, lies flushagainst blade I 0| with the cutting edge I04 normally positioned belowtransverse slot I 03.

By means of transverse screws I05 threaded into the lower portion I00 offront plate 64 and passing through circular openings I06 in blade II andelongated vertical slots I01 in blade I02, the blades are retained inslot 99 with blade IOI fixed and blade I02 slidable therealong toperform the cutting operation.

Suitable means are provided to reciprocate movable blade I02 so that itscutting edge I04 may pass by the transverse lot I03 in fixed blade IOIand cut the tape passing therethrough. Such means may comprise asolenoid I08 desirably mounted beneath the Winding head 6| on a bracketI09, with its armature III affixed to the end II2 of movable blade I02which extends below the lower end I00 of front plate 64, as is clearlyshown in Fig. 5.

To control the flow of air into air inlet member 88 and to energize thesolenoid I08, all in properly timed relation, a plurality ofmicroswitches H3, H4 and H5 are desirably provided as shown in Figs. 8and 9. The micro-switches which respectively control the turning off ofthe air, the turning on of the air and the energization of the cuttersolenoid I08, are preferably positioned in side by side relation andallixed to the bed 22 of the machine beneath cam shaft 25.

Each of the micro-switches has an upstanding trip finger II6 associatedtherewith, preferably having a roller II! at the upper end thereof. Therollers II! are each in the path of movement of an associated adjustabledog or lug H8 rigid with an arcuate piece II8 mounted on a drum II9afilxed to the cam shaft 25, the arcuate pieces each being adjustablealong the periphery of the drum in order that exact timing may beeffected.

Micro-switch II5 which controls the cutter solenoid I08, is connectedthereto by suitable circuits and micro-switches H3 and H4 which controlthe turning off and on of the air respectively, are connected to adouble action solenoid which controls a two-way air valve, the latterbeing connected to a source of compressed air, and by a suitable airline to the air inlet member 88.

As the above-mentioned double action solenoid and two-way air valve,which may be mounted on the back of the rear wall 24, are conventionalas is the source of compressed air and the air line and do not per seform part of this invention, they are not shown and will not be furtherdescribed.

In order to feed the tape to be wound into the cavity II in the windinghead, a roller I2I (Fig. 5) is desirably driven by a suitabletransmission (not shown) from the main drive motor M. The transmissionis so arranged that the desired length of tape will be fed into thecavity II during a predetermined cycle of rotation of the main cam shaft25 which cycle is illustratively 270 degrees, such length beingdetermined by the number of revolutions made by roller I2I during this270 degree cycle.

Driven roller I2I has an idler roller I22 associated therewith,eccentrically mounted on a 7 stud I23 affixed to and extendinghorizontally outward from the rear wall 24.

The eccentric mount permits adjustment of roller I22 to retain the tapetightly against roller III to effect drive of the tape without slippageyet such pressure is so light as not appreciably to compress such tapefor if elastic tape is being wound, compression thereof would elongatethe tape to impair accurate measurement thereof. Thus the tape will bepositively driven into the annular cavity H through pas.- sageway 94,the entrance 95 of which is in close juxtaposition to the portions ofthe. peripheries of rollers [21 and I22 which frictionally engage thetape.

As shown in Figs. and 5a, in order that the tape be properly centered onthe rollers I2I and I22, it is guided thereto between opposed flangesI25. which are adjustably mounted on a horizontal stud I26 afiixed tothe rear wall 24. and s secured in spaced relationship on said stud bymeans of set screws I2'I to suit the width of the tape being wound.

To set up the machine thus far described for operation, the arcuatepieces, III! on drum. H3 are adjustedv so that dogs II8 trip air-onmicroswitch II4, illustratively when the main cam shaft 25. has rotatedto. the position shown by the. upright arrow in Fig. 9 which arbitrarilywill be selected as indicating zero degrees, and to trip air-offmicro-switch H3 and cuttermicro-switch I [5 when the main cam shaft hasrotated through an arc of approximately 275 degrees from the positionindicated by said arrow. The transmission (not shown) from the maindrive motor M is adjusted so that rotation. of roller I21I will startwhen the main cam shaft is at zero degrees and will stop when the camshaft is at 270 degrees.

The tape, which is desirably on a large. roll or spool (not. shown) is.thereupon passed between flanges I25, which are adjusted to accommodatethe width of the tape to be wound, between rollers I2.I and I22 intopassageway 94 thence through slot I04 in fixed blade NH and into thecavity 'II so that the free end of the tape extends beyondthe outlet end3| of bore 83 of air inlet member 88.

Assuming the main cam shaft. 25 to be at. zero degrees. as shown in Fig.9, the. main drive motor, M is. then turned on. at. which time micro.-switch H4 will, be actuated by the associated dog I I8. to. turn on.the. air and the roller I,2I will rotate to feed the tape into thecavity. The number of revolutions, made by roller I2I durmg 270, degreesof revolution of the main'cam shaft. will determine the length of. tapefedinto the cavity.

The stream of air which flows in a counterclockwise direction throughcavity II will pull onthe tape and as the latter is constantly beingfedv into the cavity, it will readily be wound around hub 68 inconvolutions without undue tension on the tape.

As the plurality of air escape bores 93 are inclined in directionopposite to the inclination of nozzle 8%, they will tend to scoop uptheair circulating in a counterclockwise direction in annular cavity I I topermit escape of such air from the cavity.

As the bores 93 are of relatively small diameter considerable less thanthe diameter of air inlet bore 89, only a small amount. of air willescape from such bores 93in proportion to the amount of air passingthereby, consequently tur- 8 bulences will be created in the cavity at.the entrance to each bore 93 adjacent the outer edge of the tape beingwound, which turbulences will act as fingers along the length of thewinding tape, tov exert tension and thereby aid in the windingoperation.

When the main cam shaft has rotated 2'70 degrees, the rotation of rollerI 2I will cease, and no more tape will be fed into the cavity. However,as the air cut off micro-switch H3, is not tripped until the main camshaft 25 has rotated to the 275 degree position, the air jet willcontinue until this time and the tape, which is held outside the windinghead by rollers I2I and I22 will bepulled snugly around hub 68 withoutappreciable stretch.

Substantially simultaneously with the actuation of air-off micro-switchII3, micro-switch II5 will be tripped by its associated dog III therebyenergizing cutter solenoid I08 to force the cutting edge I04 of bladeI02 past the slot I03. in fixed blade IIlI to cut the tape.

Tape removal mechanism Suitable mechanism is provided to form a hankfrom, the round convolutions of tape and to move such hank away from thewinding head in order that the finished package may be formed.

This mechanism, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, may comprise a pair ofL-shaped brackets I3I and I32, each having a transverse bore I33 in theupper end thereof through which drive rod 33 extends. Bracket I32 isrigidly afiixed to drive rod 33 by set screw I34 and bracket I3I isslidably mounted on drive rod 33 and keyed thereon by a cross pin I35which extends through a longitudinal slot I36 in said drive rod 33. Acoil spring I31 encompasses that portion of drive rod 33 between theupper ends of brackets I3I' and I32 and normally urges slidable bracketI3I away from fixed bracket I32, the horizontal movement of slidablebracket I3.I being limited by a stop member I38. The latter is aiiixedto the upper edge of front plate 64 by screws I39 and extendstransversely outward therefrom, with the free end [41 of stop member I38in the path of movement of the upper end of bracket I3,I and normallyengaged thereby.

A collar I42 is affixed by set screw I42 to. rod 33. at. the left endof. slot I36 therein and is of such. diameter that it may pass beneaththe end I4I of stop member I38v when drive rod 33 is moved to the rightby the transmission from the main cam shaft. and barrel cam 32heretofore described.

The vertical legs ms of brackets. I3I and I32 each has a rearwardlyextending horizontal transfer finger I 44 and I45 respectively, totransport the wound tape. Fingers I44 and I45 are aligned with thetransverse slot 81' in cover plate 86-and normally extend through saidslot slightly spaced from the face 7.3 of hub 68 within the peripherythereof as shown in Fig. 5.

In order to position the convolutions of tape on fingers I44 and I45 it,is necessary that the convolutionsbe pushed out of the cavity TI andthat such cavity be opened to permit such removal. To this end, as shownin Fig. 4 a pusher ring I2 is. desirably positioned in said cavitnormally seated, on the. floor thereof.

A, plurality of horizontal pins l3, illustratively three in number, areaffixed at one end respectively to. the pusher ring 12,, desirably atequal intervals and extending rearwardly therefrom through openings I4in back plate 02, the free ends of the pin I3 being aflixed to pusherplate I5.

Each of the pins I3 is desirably encompassed by a coil spring 83positioned between pusher plate I and the back plate 62 and they aidcoil spring 13 in urging the pusher plate toward rear Wall 24, therebynormally retaining pusher ring I2 on the fioor of the cavity II.

It is to be noted that the lengths of pins I3 and 85 are so related thatwhen pusher ring I2 is seated on the bottom of annular cavity TI coverplate 86 will rest against front plate 54.

Although any suitable means could be used to reciprocate the pusherplate I5 which controls the pusher ring I2 and cover plate 86, in apreferred construction as shown in Fig. 4, a lever I46 is operativelyconnected at its upper end as at I41 to collar 76 and pivoted near itsmid point as at I48 on spacer 63. The free end I40 of lever I46 is inthe path of movement of a castle nut I5I threaded on an adjustment screwI52 carried by the upper end 153 of a lever I54, the latter beingpivotally mounted at its lower end as at I55 on a bracket Hi5 affixed tothe bed 22.

Lever I54 has a roller I5'I rotatably mounted thereon which rides on theperiphery of a cam I58 affixe'd to cam shaft 25, said roller beingretained against said cam by a coil spring I59 compressed between therear wall 24 and lever I54 and retained against vertical displacement bystuds IBI and I62 rigid with said respective elements.

The operation of the tape removal mechanism is as follows:

After the convolutions of tape have been wound and cut in the windinghead in the manner heretofore described, continued rotation of cam shaftwhich is now at approximately the 280 degree position, will cause thehigh portion I63 of cam I58, which covers approximately 70 degrees ofarc, to abut against the roller I5'I of lever I54 pivoting the latteragainst the tension of spring I59. The castle nut I5I at the upper endof lever I54 will abut against the lower end I49 of lever I46 pivotingthe latter about its pivot I48, there by moving collar I6 and pusherplate i5 forward on rod 11 against the tension of coil springs 43 and83. This simultaneously will move the cover plate 86 and pusher ring 12forward and consequently slide the wound tape out of cavity lI so thatit will slide over the ends of transfer fingers v,

I44 and I45 to encompass the latter.

Slightly after the sliding of the'wound tape on fingers I44 and I45, sayat about 285 degrees rotation of the main cam shaft, when the windinghead is completely open, drive rod 33 will be moved forward, 1. e., tothe right, by reason of the pivoting of lever by barrel cam 32 in themanner heretofore described.

As bracket I32 is rigidly affixed to drive rod 33 and as bracket I3I isslidably mounted thereon and forced away from bracket I32 and retainedagainst stop I38 by coil spring I3I, the forward movement of drive rod33 will initially impart relative transverse movement to and spreadapart the fingers I44 and I of the brackets by moving finger I45longitudinally through slot 81 in cover plate 86. This spreading willcontinue until the collar I42 on drive rod 33 abuts against slidablebracket I3I at which time the convolutions of tape will have beenelongated and fiattened and formed into a hank. Thereafter as collar I42will pass beneath stop I38, both brackets I3I and I32 and theirassociated fingers I44, I45 respectively will be moved to the rightlongitudinally of slot 81.

The position of collar I42 on rod 33 is desir-.

ably adjusted so that the maximum spread of the fingers I44, I45 willelongate the convolutions to their maximum length without such unduetension thereon as might unduly stretch the tape.

Continued movement to the right of the drive rod 33 will thereuponadvance the hank longitudinally from between the cover plate 86 andpusher ring I2 and after the hank has been moved away from the windinghead, at which time the main cam shaft has rotated to approximately 350degrees, roller I5! will ride down the high portion I63 of cam 158 underthe tension of spring I59. Thus, the upper end of lever I54 will nolonger press against lever I46 and coil springs 19 and 83 will movepusher plate I5 back to its rearmost position to restore the cover plate86 and pusher ring I2 to their original position, ready for the nextwinding operation.

As the convolutions of tape are moved out of the cavity in the windinghead, the severed end of the tape might unroll and hang down. Means areaccordingly provided to prevent such objectionable operation that mightresult in malfunctioning of the machine during the succeeding packagingoperation.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 23, such means may comprise an L-shaped bracketI23 having a transverse bore I28 in the upper end thereof through whichthe drive rod 33 extends, thereby slidably mounting said bracket. Thevertical leg I29 of the bracket has a rearwardly extending substantiallyL-shaped finger I30 rigid therewith (Fig. 23), said finger having aright angled portion I30 at the end thereof extending toward finger I45of bracket I32.

As shown in Fig. 2, bracket I28 is normally urged toward finger I32 bymeans of a coil spring I40 encompassing rod 33 and compressed between acollar I afliXed to said rod by a set screw I50, and the upper end ofbracket I28. A guide pin I rigid with vertical leg I43 of bracket I32extends through a bore H50 in the vertical leg I29 of bracket I28 toprevent transverse movement of bracket I28 so that leg I29 thereof isretained parallel to le I43 of bracket I32.

In order that the convolutions of tape may be moved onto fingers I44,I45, when the latter are in position to receive such convolutions fromthe winding head as previously described, the portion I30 of finger I30is normally spaced from finger I45 as shown in Fig. 23.

To this end a stop member H0 is desirably provided, afilxed to the upperedge of front plate 64 by screws III) and extending transversely outwardtherefrom with the free end I20 of stop member IIO being in the path ofmovement of a projection I20 affixed to the upper end of bracket I28thereby restraining the movement of bracket I28 by coilspring I40, saidend I20 being above the upper ends of brackets I3I and I32 so that theymay pass therebeneath.

In the operation of the machine the convolutions of tape will be pushedonto transfer fingers I44, I45 as previously described. As the drive rodis moved to the right, as bracket I28 is slidably mounted thereon andretained against stop IIO by coil spring I40, the forward movement ofthe drive rod will bring finger I45 of bracket I32 affixed to drive rod33 toward the right angle portion I30 of finger I30. Thus theconvolutions of tape will be clamped between such portion I30 and fingerI45.

Continuous movement to the right of the drive rod 33 will thereuponcarry the upper end of 11 bracket I3I and I32 beneath stop H and thebracket I28 will also be carried to the right by bracket I32, the pinI60 retaining such brackets in parallel relation.

Conveyer system In order to transport the hank from station to stationso that a completed package may be formed, a conveyer system is provideddesirably comprising a pair of spaced parallel endless belts I98, I99between which the hanks are retained as they are advanced.

The belts are desirably mounted in such manner that the inner runs 205thereof extend parallel to each other and means are provided to affordadjustment of the distance between such inner runs so that they maytightly grip therebetween banks of different thicknesses. To this end asshown in Figs. to 13, the belts I98 and I99 desirably are positioned onthe outer faces of a pair of parallel elongated mounting plates HI andI12 respectively, which plates lie in the same plane, parallel to therear wall 24 and are movable transversely toward and away from eachother.

To afford such transverse movement, a link I13 is provided at each endof each of the mounting plates HI and I12 respectively. Each of thelinks I13 is pivotally mounted at one end as at I14, desirably on theunderface of the plates, so as to extend parallel thereto. The free endsof pairs of links I13 at adjacent ends of the mounting plates HI andI12, are pivotally connected as at I15 to collars I16 and I11 threadedrespectively on longitudinal screws I18 and I19 located near each pairof adjacent ends of the mounting plates HI and I12 and positionedbeneath said plates midway therebetween.

Screw I18 which is rotatably mounted in an outstanding bearing block I8Iaffixed to rear wall 24, is retained against axial displacement, by acollar I82 affixed thereon near one end thereof by set screw I83 and bya gear I84 aflixed to the other end of screw I18 extending beyondbearing block I8I.

In like manner screw I19 is rotatably mounted, desirably in a pair ofoutstanding bearing blocks I85 and I88 affixed to rear wall 24, and isretained against axial displacement, by a lock nut I81 affixed thereonat one end and by a gear I88 affixed thereon at the other end protrudingbeyond bearing block I86, the movable collar I11 desirably beingpositioned between said bearing blocks.

Extendin longitudinally of the mounting plates I1! and I12 and rotatablymounted in bearing blocks I8I, I85 and I86 is an adjusting rod I 89desirably supported near its mid point by an outstanding bearing blockI9I also affixed to rear wall 24. Rod I89 is retained against axialdisplacement, by a gear I93 near one end thereof extending beyondbearing block I86 and meshing with gear I88, and by a second gear I94also afiixed on rod I89 near the other end thereof and meshing with gearI84 afiixed on screw I18.

By means of a handwheel I95 affixed to the end of rod I89 extendingbeyond bearing block I 86, the rod may be rotated to revolve meshedgears I84, I94 and I88, I93 and screws I18, I19 thereby to move thecollars I18, I11 longitudinally thereon, to move the adjacentlongitudinal edges I96 and I91 of the plates toward and away from eachother as the case may be, through parallel motion links I13.

Although the belts I98, I99 could be of any suitable type they desirablyare sprocket chains and each of the belts or chains I98, I99respectively, desirably encompasses and passes around a pair of spacedtransversely aligned sprocket wheels 20I and 202 near one end of each ofthe mounting plates and around a sprocket wheel 203 near the other endof each of the mounting plates. The sprocket wheels 20I, 202 and 203-are each rotatively mounted on an outstanding stud 204 affixed to saidmounting plates and sprocket wheels 202 and 203 are so positioned thatthe inner runs 205 of the sprocket chains extending therebetween will beparallel to each other and substantially aligned with the innerlongitudinal edges I96, I91 of the mounting plates.

In order to provide tension on the sprocket chains I98 and I99, aplurality of rollers 205, preferably flanged as shown, andillustratively two in number, are positioned near each of the outerlongitudinal edges 201 and 208 of the mounting plates and rotatablymounted on outstanding studs 209 which are transversely adjustable inslots 2 II in each of the plates. As shown in Figs. 10 and 12 therollers press against the outer run 2I2 of the sprocket chain and may beadjusted to take up any slack in the chain.

The inner runs 205 of the sprocket chains I98, I99 desirably mesh with aplurality of idler sprocket wheels 2I3, rotatably mounted on outstandingstuds 2 I4 affixed to the mounting plates, and are thus kept insubstantially a straight line. To prevent sagging of the inner run 205of upper chain I99 by reason of its weight, a plurality of desirablypermanent magnets 2I0, only a few of which are illustratively shown inFigs. 3 and 10, are desirably affixed to mounting plate I12 betweensprocket wheels 2 I3 to retain the inner run 205 against its associatedidler sprocket wheels.

Suitable means are provided to drive the sprocket chains I98, I99 oneach of the mounting plates. Such means, shown in Figs. 3, 12 and 13desirably comprise sprocket wheels 2I4 and 2!! rigid with the pair ofsprocket wheels 203 respectively (Fig. 22) so as to rotate therewith androtatably mounted on the outer end of each of the studs 204 mountingsprocket wheels 203.

A drive sprocket wheel 2I6 is rigidly affixed on an outstanding shaft2I1 rotatably mounted in a bearing block 2I8 afiixed to rear wall 24. Adrive sprocket chain 2I9 encompasses sprocket wheels 2 I4 and 2I6 andrides against the periphery of sprocket wheel 2I5. Thus upon rotation ofdrive sprocket wheel 2 IS in a clockwise direction, sprocket wheel 2I4will also rotate in a clockwise direction and sprocket wheel 2I5 willrotate in a counterclockwise direction. It is apparent therefore thatsprocket chain I98 will rotate in a clockwise direction and sprocketchain I99 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

In order to compensate for the spreading ad.-. justment of the mountingplates HI and I12, means are provided to exert tension against sprocketchain 2I9 so that it will remain taut regardless of the spacing betweensprocket wheels 2 I4 and 2I5, which will vary depending upon theadjustment.

Although any suitable means may be used for the purpose, in theembodiment herein, a yieldable idler sprocket wheel 22I is associatedwith and engages drive sprocket chain 2I9. Sprocket wheel MI isrotatably mounted as at 222 at the end of a pivoted lever 223 desirablyhaving an obliquely extending portion 225 integral therewith at its freeend. Means are provided to exert constant tension against the free endof lever 223 thereby to pivot the latter so that sprocket wheel 22I willpress against sprocket chain 2I9 automatically to take up any slacktherein. Such tension means may comprise a coil spring 225. seated atone end in a socket 224 formed integral with the free end of the lever223 and positioned at its other end in the bore of a sleeve 228 rigidlymounted on a support arm 229 affixed to mounting plate Hi. In order toretain coil spring 226 in the bore of sleeve 228 and permit adjustmentof the tension thereof, a plug 23I is threaded into the open end of saidsleeve 228.

To rotat drive sprocket wheel 2I6, as shown in Fig. 22, a gear 232 isrotatably mounted on the shaft 2l1 which mounts sprocket wheel H6 and isengaged by the teeth 233 of rack which teeth are retained against gear232 by a roller 234 resting on the upper surface of the cross piece 236of the rack and rotatably mounted on an outstanding stud 235. A one wayclutch 239 is associated with gear 232 to rotate shaft 2!! when gear 232is rotated in one direction, 1. e., clockwise, as shown in Fig. 3, andto overrun and not drive shaft 2I'I when gear 232 is rotated in theopposite direction, i. e., counterclockwise. As any suitable clutchmeans of the above type may be used, such as the well known ratchet andpawl arrangement, it will not be further described.

Banding station In order to position a band around the hank, it isnecessary to move the hank off the transfer fingers I44, I45 andposition such hank between the inner runs 265 of the conveyer chains,and

a stop 231 is associated with said chains to limit the movement of thehank when it is moved off the fingers between belts I98 and I99 as shownin Figs. 11 and 14.

The stop 231 desirably comprises an elongated strip extendinglongitudinally of and lying in a plane at right angles to mountingplates HI and I12 midway between the inner longitudinal edges I99, I91thereof. Means are provided to afford in and out movement of the step231 with respect to the mounting plates. Although any suitable meanscould be used for this purpose, in the preferred embodiment shownherein, stop 231 has a pair of spaced tongues 238 and 239 on the inneredge 24I thereof and desirably formed integral therewith. Each of thetongues 238 and 239 is straddled by the bifurcated end portion of a hub242 which may be affixed as by welding to the tongues. The other end ofeach of the hubs 242 has a longitudinal bore 243 therein in which isafiixed, as by cross pin 244, one end of an adjusting screw 245, theother end of which extends through an opening 246 in rear wall 24.

Threaded on each of the screws 245 to the rear of rear wall 24 is asleeve 241. sprocket wheels 248 and 249 which encompass sleeves 241respectively are afiixed thereto by set screws 259, and are rotatablymounted in bearing members 25I affixed to the rear wall 24, coactingflanges 252 and 253 on the sprocket wheels 248, 249 and bearings 25!preventing axial displacement of the sprocket wheels and sleeves.

Referring to Fig. 14, the sleeve 241 extends beyond the sprocket wheel249 into the bore of the hub portion 254 of a handwheel 255, affixed tothe sleeve by a set screw 256. Each of the screws 245 desirably has astop nut 251 and lock nut 258 threaded on the end thereof to limit theinward movement of the screws in the associated sleeves 241 whensprocket wheels 248 and 249, which are connected by sprocket chain 259,are rotated by handwheel 255.

To position a label around the hank, a banding station is providedassociated with the input end of the conveyer system to which the hankis advanced on said fingers I44 and I with the severed end of the tapeclamped between fingers I39 and I45 by the movement of drive rod 33 inthe manner heretofore described.

As shown in Figs. 2, 16, 17 and 18 the banding station desirablycomprises a pair of parallel, horizontal rods 263 afiixed at their rearends to rear wall 24 as at 264 beneath mounting plates Ill and I12 andextending at their front ends through transversely aligned openings 262near the upper edge of an upstanding bracket 26I afiixed to the bed 22of the machine, and secured to said bracket by lock nuts 265.

Slidably mounted on rods 263 is a substantially L-shaped bracket 266,having a pair of parallel bores 261 in the horizontal leg 268 thereof,through which rods 263 extend. The bracket 266 is normally retained inits forward position against bracket 26I by coil springs 259 whichencompass rods 263 respectively and are positioned between rear wall 24and bracket 266.

The vertical portion 2II of bracket 266, near the upper edge thereof,desirably has a pair of transversely aligned openings 212 therein whichmount a pusher member 213. This member, as shown in Fig. 24, desirablycomprises a cross piece 214 having parallel rods 215 affixed near eachend thereof respectively and extending at right angles thereto. The rods215, are slidably mounted in openings 212 of bracket 266 and their axialdisplacement is limited by nuts 211 screwed upon the protruding threadedends 216 thereof.

Longitudinally aligned with rods 215 respectively and affixed to thecross piece 214 on the opposite face thereof, are parallel fingers 218,the free end of each of which mounts a vertical pusher piece 219.Desirably each of the fingers 216 has a wing piece 28I affixed theretoand extending outward therefrom at right angles to said pusher pieces219.

By means of coil springs 282 encompassing the rods 215 respectively,between the cross piece 214 and the bracket 266 the pusher member isnormally retained in its extended position as shown in Fig. 16.

Aifixed to mounting plates Ill and I12 respectively are spacer members281 and 288 which extend parallel to and on each side of sprocket chainsI99 and I99 respectively.

Spacer member 298 mounts plates 289 and 29I conformed to provide avertical elongated slot 292 therethrough, which slot lies in a plane infront of the conveyer chains. Slot 292 is of sufficient width toaccommodate a strip 293 of material, illustratively of paper, fedtherethrough in timed relation from a spool (not shown) by means ofdriven rollers 294 rotated through a suitable transmission (not shown)desirably from the main drive motor.

The strip 293 extends through a slot 295 of corresponding dimensions ina horizontal blade 296 afiixed by screws 399 to the underface of amounting block 291 adjustably mounted on late 29I by screws 298 whichextend through vertical slots 299 in mounting block 291.

Associated with fixed blade 295 is a movable blade 299 slidably mountedin a support 39! aflixed to mounting block 291 by screws 391'. As shownin Figs. 17 and 18, support 36I desirably has a plurality of verticalbores 992 therein each having a ball 363 urged against the underface ofmovable blade 299 by a coil spring 394 retained in the bore by athreaded plug 305. Thus the movable blade will always be urged againstthe fixed blade 296.

The movable blade 29.9 is desirably retained on support and limited inits displacement by a vertical screw 306 threaded through mounting block291 and extending through an opening 3I0 in fixed blade 296 and anelongated slot 301 in movable blade 299.

In order to retain movable blade 299 in its outermost position so thatits cutting edge 308 will be spaced from the slot 295 in fixed blade 296to permit free passage of the strip through the latter, a coil spring309 is positioned between the back of support 30! and a depending flange3!! rigid with the end of movable blade 299 and in the path of movementof a disc 285 which, when moved against said flange will slide themovable blade 299 forward to cut the strip. The disc is desirablymounted on the end of a rod 284 positioned in an opening 283 provided inbracket 266 above openings 212 and midway therebetween, and retained insaid opening 283 by lock nut 286. A coil spring 281' encircles rod 284between disc 285 and bracket 266 and normally retains the disc in itsextended position spaced from flange 3!!.

Positioned beneath cutting blades 296 and 299 are a pair of guides 3!5and 3I6 each desirably comprising a horizontal strip. Guide 3!5 isaffixed by screws 3!1 to the lower edge of plate 29! and issubstantially longitudinally aligned with the outer face of the innerrun 205 of sprocket chain I99.

Guide 3I6 which desirably has a vertical mounting portion 3I8 rigidtherewith, is substantially longitudinally aligned with the outer faceof the inner run 205 of sprocket chain I98 and is affixed by screws 3I9to a plate 32! which in turn is affixed to a plate 322 affixed to spacermember 281. Plates 32! and 322 are conformed so as to define a verticalslot 323 therein aligned with vertical slot 29! and having substantiallythe same dimensions. Thus guides 3!5 and 3I6 extend in parallel planesand are movable toward and away from each other with mounting plates I1!and I12.

The left hand or entrance end of the guides 3!5, 3I6 as is clearly shownin Fig. 2 are outwardly flared as at 324 to provide a mouth into whichthe hank may be moved and desirably have a laterally extending portion325 at such flared end whereby they may be affixed to the associatedmounting plate. The guides are desirably of greater length than thehanks to be formed so that the entire length of the hank may bepositioned therebetween.

As shown in Fig. 17, the channel formed by the opposed guides 3!5 and3I6 is transversely aligned with the pusher member 213 and to ensurethat the pusher pieces 219 will abut against the entire vertical widthof the hank, as shown in Fig. 18, the guides 3!5 and 3I6, and associatedplates on which they are mounted are provided with vertical slots 326into which the pusher pieces 219 may advance when the pusher member isactuated by the mechanism now to be described.

As shown in Fig. 16, bracket 266 has a link 328 pivotally mountedthereon as at 329 between the parallel rods 263. The free end of thelink is pivotally connected as at 33! to the upper end of a lever 332,pivoted at its lower end as at 333 to a bracket 334 affixed to the bedof the machine. Lever 332 has a roller 335 mounted thereon which rideson the periphery of a cam 336 16 afiixed to cam shaft 25 and is retainedagainst said cam by coil spring 269.

Thus, upon rotation of cam 336, lever 382 will be oscillated, toreciprocate bracket 266 and move the pusher member 213 between theguides 315 and 3 I 6, and move the disc 285 against the flange 3!! ofblade 299.

The operation of the conveyer system and banding station is as follows:

Continued forward movement of the drive rod 33 by the transmission fromthe main cam shaft 25 will advance the brackets 13! and I32, and thehank on fingers I44 and I45 will thereupon be moved between the flaredends 324 of the guides 3!5 and 3I6, and at the end of the forwardmovement of drive rod 33 the hank will be positioned between guides 3!5and 3I6 transversely aligned with pusher member 213.

At this time when drive rod 33 is at rest, due to the configuration ofcam 32 the high portion 340 of cam 336 will engage roller 335 on lever332 to pivot the latter. Bracket 266 controlled by the movement of lever332, will thereupon move on parallel rods 263 towards rear wall 24against the tension of coil springs 269 and pusher member 213 mounted onbracket 266 will be moved towards guides 3!5 and 3I6.

Continued forward movement of the bracket 256 will cause the pusherpieces 219 to enter the slots 325 in guides 3 I 5 and 3I6 and as thepusher pieces which are positioned between fingers I44 and I45, movebetween the guides they will abut against the front face 340' of thehank, thereby moving the latter 01f fingers I44 and I45 '0! brackets I3!and I32, the portion I30 of finger I30 only resiliently clamping thetape and hence not impeding such operation. As the pusher pieces are ofgreater length than the vertical thickness of the hank and as the wingpieces 28! extend respectively beyond the ends of the bank as shown inFig. 18, and lie in a plane below the horizontal plane of fingers I44and I45, it is clear that the hank will be moved without bending ortwisting.

The movement of the pusher member 213 will force the rear face 330 ofthe hank against the strip 293 which has been previously positioned invertical slots 292 and 323 by rollers 294 and is now at rest.Substantially simultaneously with the movement of the hank against strip293, the disc 285 carried by rod 284 will abut against the flange 3!! atthe end of movable blade 299 and move the cutting edge of the latterpast the slot 295 in fixed blade 296 to sever the tape passing throughsuch slot. Continued movement of the pusher member will thereupon forcethe hank and severed portion of the strip 293 between the inner runs 205of the conveyer chains I98 and I99 as limited by stop 231.

The spacing of the conveyer chains I98 and I99 which depends upon thelength of the strip being wound into a hank is adjusted by means ofhandwheel I so that the parallel inner runs 205 will be sufficientlyspaced to receive the hank, and the position of the stop 231 is adjustedby handwheel 255, depending upon the width of the tape being wound, sothat the rear face of the severed portion of the strip 293 against whichthe rear face 330 of the hank is moved will abut against the stop withthe front face 340 of the hank extending forward of the inner runs 205of the conveyer chain.

With the hank between inner runs 205 as shown in Fig. 17, the severedportion of the strip which is now in the form of a band will encom- 17pass the rear face 336 of the hank as well as the top and bottom facesthereof with the ends of the band extending beyond the front face 340 ofthe hank.

The coil springs 282 and 281 associated with the pusher member 213 anddisc 265 limit the pressure that can be exerted by the pusher memher andthe disc against the hank and the movable cutting blade respectively sothat accurate tolerances in the manufacture and adjustment of themachine will not be necessary.

After the hank and band are positioned between the inner runs of theconveyer chains, the high portion 340 of cam 336 will move away fromroller 335 on lever 332 and the latter under the tension of coil spring269 will pivot away from the rear wall 24 thereby moving bracket 266 andthe pusher member 213 and disc 285 carried thereby back to their homeposition.

Simultaneously with the forward movement of the drive rod 33 whichcarries the hank from the winding station to the banding station, themovement of rack carried by drive rod 33 will rotate gear 232 andthrough clutch 230 rotate shaft 2I1 and drive sprocket wheel 216 in aclockwise direction. Through the transmission heretofore described, fromdrive sprocket wheel 2 I6 to conveyer belts I99 and I99, the belts willbe advanced in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction respectivelyand advance the hank moved to the banding station during the previousforward movement of the drive rod to the next succeeding station.

At this time the winding operation heretofore described which startswhen the cam shaft is at zero degrees as shown in Fig. 9 will again havebegun, and continued rotation of cam shaft 25 will cause barrel cam 32to move the drive rod, through the transmission heretofore described, tothe left as shown in Fig. 1 and return the brackets I31 and I32 andfingers I44 and I45 to their initial position aligned with the windinghead. During the course of such movement, bracket I28 will also move tothe left until projection I20 thereof abuts against stop H6. At 4 thistime spring I40 will be compressed and finger I45 will move away fromportion I36 of finger I30 so that finger I45 will be ready for the nextoperation. Although such movement of drive rod 33 will advance rack 5Iand rotate gear 232 engaged thereby, the clutch associated therewithwill not engage shaft 2I1 and hence drive sprocket wheel 2 I6 will notbe rotated and the sprocket wheel 2I6 will not be rotated and thesprocket chains I98, I99 will remain at rest. In order to complete thepackage, that is, to

fold the ends of the band over each other and seal such ends, whichdesirably have a thermoplastic coating thereon, a folding and sealingstation is provided to which the hank and band therearound will beadvanced during the stepping movement of the conveyer chain. Althoughany suitable arrangement may be used, a preferred construction will nowbe described in detail.

Folding and sealing station 18 between rear wall 24 and lever 353 andretained against vertical displacement by studs 359 and 36I affixed tosaid members respectively.

In order to provide for vertical and transverse adjustment of theheating element 35 I, the latter is desirably retained on bracket 352 bymeans of vertically adjustable screws 362 and 363 mounted in laterallyextending lugs 564 and 355 respectively, affixed to the bracket. Thefront end of heating element 35I has a horizontal heating iron 366associated therewith, extending parallel to the conveyer and desirablyof greater length than the width of the band to be sealed.

Affixed to mounting plates HI and I12 respectively, are folding members361 and 366 which, when the forwardly extending ends of the band passthereby during the movement of the conveyer chains, above described,will fold one of said ends, illustratively the upper end, over the lowerend. As the construction and operation of such folding members areconventional they need not be further described.

The operation at the folding and sealing station is as follows:

During the intermittent movement of the conveyer chains the hank withits encompassing band will move past the folding members 361 and 368which will fold the upper end of the band over the lower end thereof.The hank will thereupon be further advanced until it is transverselyaligned with the heating iron 366 of heating element 35I at which timemovement of the conveyer will cease.

At this time cam shaft 25 will have rotated sufiiciently so that thehigh portion 369 of cam 351 will engage roller 356 and pivot lever 353to move the heating element I towards the hank so that the heating iron366 thereof will be transversely aligned with the folded over ends ofthe band and will engage such folded over ends. The application of heatto such ends will actuate the thermoplastic material thereon which willthereupon set and securely seal such ends together to retain the bandaround the hank, thereby forming the finished article 315 shown in Fig.25.

After cam shaft 25 has rotated approximately degrees, which will providesufficient time for the sealing operation to take place, the highportion 366 of cam 351 will move away from roller 356. Lever 353 underthe urging of coil spring 358 will pivot away from the rear wall 24thereby moving the heating element 35I away from the article 315.

The next intermittent movement of the conveyer chain will advance thearticle 315 to the end of the conveyer chains at which point it willdrop off desirably into a chute 31I for discharge from the machine.

The machine herein can operate for many hours without supervision,requiring as it does only an adequate supply of tape and handing stripand the resulting articles will be neat and symmetrical and have tape ofuniform length.

Although it is within the scope of this invention to provide otheroperating stations along the conveyer chains at the end of each steppingmovement thereof which may, for example, insert advertising materialbetween the forwardly extending ends of the band, as such additionalstations form no part of this invention, they will not be described.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and method, andmany apparently widely different embodiments of this invention 1'!)could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it isintended that an matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine of the character described com- :'prising' means forwinding convolutions from a length of tape, transfer means for-suchconvolutions normally spaced therefrom, means for moving suchconvolutionsfrom said winding means onto said transfer means toencompass the latter, means associated with said transfer means forelongating such convolutions thereby flattening the latter to form ahank and means for banding such hank.

2. A machine of the character described comprising means for windingconvolutions from a length of tape, a pair of relatively transverselymovable transfer means for such convolutions normally spaced therefrom,meansior moving such convolutions from said winding means onto said pairof relatively movable transfer means to encompass the latter, meansassociated with said transfer means for effecting relative transversemovement therebteween thereby to elongate and flatten such convolutionsto form a hank, and means for banding such hank.

3. A machine of the character described comprising means for winding aplurality of convolutions from a length of tape, a pair of spacedrelatively transversely movable fingers, normally spaced from suchconvolutions and associated with said winding means, means for movingsuch convolutions from said winding means onto said spaced fingers toencompass the latter, means associated with said spaced fingers foreffecting such relative transverse movement therebetween to separatesaid fingers, thereby to elongate and flatten such convolutions to forma hank, and means for banding such hank.

4. A machine of the character described comprising pneumatic means forpropelling a length of tape to wind the same in convolutions, a pair ofspaced relatively transversely movable transfer means for suchconvolutions normally spaced therefrom, means for moving suchconvolutions from said winding ineans onto said ,tra'ns'fer means toencompass the latter, means associated with said transfer means foreffecting such relative transverse movement therebetween to separatesaid transfer means thereby to elongate sucih convolutions and flattenthe latter to form a hank and means for banding such hank.

5. .A machine of the character described comprising a winding headhaving a substantially circular cavity therein, a tape inlet into saidcavity, an air nozzle associated with said cavity and directed to propela length of tape thereinto to wind the same in convolutions, transfermeans associated with said cavity, means opera tive for moving suchconvolutions from .said cavityonto said transfer means to encompass thelatter, means associated with said transfer means for elongating suchconvolutions thereby flattening the latter to form a hank and means forbanding such hank.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a, windinghead'having a substantially cir-' cular cavity therein, a tape inletinto said cavity, an air nozzle associated with said cavity anddirectedto propel tape forward through said inlet against a wall ofsaid-cavity to wind the tape in convolutions, a pair of s aced transterringers normally spaced from such convolutions, means operative formoving such convolutions from'said cavity onto said transfer fingers toencompass the latter, means associated with said fingersfor-effectingrelative transverse movement therebe tween to separate said fingers,thereby to'elon gate and flatten such convolutions to form a hank-, andmeans for banding such hank.

'7. A machine of the character described prising a winding head having acavity therein, a tape inlet into said cavity, a cover plateoversaid-cavity, an ai-r nozzle associatedw-ith-said-caw ity and directed topropel tape forward-through said inlet to wind the tape in convolutions,trans fer means for such convolutions, means :mr ing such cover plateaway from said cavity and for moving such convolutionsfrom said cavityonto said transfer means to encompass the latte'r, means associated withsaid transfer means for elongating said convolutions thereby flatteningthe latter to form a hank and means for banding such hank.

8. A machine of the character 'desoribedcom prising a winding headhaving a'substa-ntially circular cavity therein, a tape inlet intosaidc'a-vity', an air nozzle associated with said cavity directed topropel tape forward substantially tangentially toward a wall or saidcavity to wind the tape in convolutions, transfer means for such convolutions, means for moving such convolutions from said cavity onto saidtransfer-means tc'i-en'ccn'npass the latter, means associated with saidtrans fer means for elongating said convolutions thereby flattening thelatter to form a hank and means for banding such hank.

'9. A machine of the character described com prising a winding headhaving 'a substantially annular cavity therein, said cavity having aninner and outer wall, a tape inlet into said cavity, an air nozzleassociated with said cavity directed to propel tape forwardsubstantially tangentially toward the inner wall'of said cavity to windthe tape in convolutions, transfer means for such convolutions, meansfor moving such convolutions from said cavity onto said transfer meansto encompass the latter, means associated with said transfer means forelongating said convolue' tions thereby flattening the latter 'toiormahank and means for handing such hank.

10. A machine of the character described com prising a winding headhaving a substantially annular cavity therein, said cavity having aninner and outer wall a tape inlet into said cavity, a cover plate, anair nozzle associated with said cover plate and directed to blowobliquely into said cavity in tape feeding direction substantiallytangentially toward the inner wall of said cavity to wind the tape inconvolutions, said cover, plate having a plurality of air escape borestherethrough inclined a direction opposed to' the inclination of saidnozzle, transfer means 'forsucli convolutions, means for moving saidcover plate away from said cavity and for moving such tom volutions fromsaid cavity onto said transfer means to :encompass the latter, means.associated withsaid transfer means for elongating said .convolutionsthereby flattening the latter to form .a hank and means for banding suchhank.

11. A machine of the character described comprising a winding headhav'mga substantially -cir-' cular. cavity therein, a tape inlet intosaid cavity. a cover plate closing said cavity, an air inlet memberassociated with 'saiid' cavity, having a bore therethroug-h directedobliquely toward a wail tr

